Dumbarton Gets Set for Biggest Ever Scottish Pipe Band Championships

The free event, held at Levengrove Park for the 17th year in a row, will welcome more than 140 bands from across the UK and abroad.

Locals Dumbarton and District Pipe Band will once again be looking to make their mark on home turf, in front of the enthusiastic crowd which is expected to be in excess of 20,000 people.

Lewis Barber, 15, will be competing for the Novice Juvenile Band which finished in fifth place at the European Championships last month.

The Dumbarton Academy pupil said: “We have had some great results recently and our confidence is high, so with all our friends and families out supporting hopefully we can do really well. It’s always great competing at Levengrove Park and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The event will also include the annual Highland Dance competition, with a number of local dancers competing.

Another attraction this year, sure to get the crowd’s pulses racing, is a healthy living festival, run by Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation and Tesco in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Leisure.

A range of exhibits provided by Glasgow Science Centre’s Bodyworks On Tour team will test endurance, power, agility, speed and co-ordination, while there will also be live science demonstrations.

The West Dunbartonshire Leisure team will be showcasing the range of services available to help visitors get more active and lead a healthier lifestyle.

There will be group fitness demonstrations too, plus nutritional advice and loads of fun activities for the whole family – with a fabulous prize of an iPad Mini up for grabs.

All of these events are free and will be next to the pavilion in the centre of the park.

West Dunbartonshire Provost and Chieftain Douglas McAllister said:“This is the biggest free pipe band competition in the world and always attracts a world-class field of competitors. It’s a fantastic event, which is getting bigger and better every year. With plenty on offer to keep all the family entertained it’s a great day out and I’m sure the crowds will come out in force once again.”

Visitor Information

The event takes place on Saturday 30 July at Levengrove Park, Dumbarton. Gates open 9am - 6pm.

A park and pay facility will be available at the venue, however due to the high volume of people expected to attend the event, visitors are encouraged to use public transport. Dalreoch railway station and buses into Dumbarton High Street are both in easy walking distance to the park.

Visitors who are driving to the event should adhere to the many parking restrictions in and around the venue and follow advice from the stewards.